Topological Tangles

Jing Hao quietly pulled out the seat next to him in the front row of the lecture hall, his expression sheepish as if apologizing for the drama that had unfolded just minutes earlier.

The spacious room was filled with rows of polished wooden desks, their surfaces scratched from years of use. A large blackboard loomed at the front, surrounded by various mathematical posters that showcased elegant equations and intricate diagrams, the air thick with the scent of chalk dust. 

Lia slid into the seat, her white backpack resting on her lap like an anchor.

She looked around, taking in the muted hues of the room and the faint chatter of students as they settled into their seats, many glancing at her with curiosity. 

"What class is this?" she asked cluelessly, her voice barely above a whisper, a slight furrow of confusion creasing her brow.

From behind her, a familiar snicker echoed through the room.

"We're two weeks into classes, and this little princess here doesn't know what it's called!" laughed Yaya from the next row, her tone dripping with condescension. 

Lia felt a familiar wave of exhaustion wash over her. She turned slightly in her seat to catch a glimpse of the source of the mockery.

Yaya leaned back in her chair, arms crossed, her perfectly styled hair cascading over her shoulders, her friends giggling like a flock of seagulls around her. Meng Yi sat beside her, one eyebrow arched in judgment, as if evaluating Lia's worth based on her knowledge of the class. After a moment, she returned to tapping on her phone, seemingly uninterested in the unfolding drama.

Well, forgive me for not knowing the name of a class I'm not even in! 

Lia decided not to engage with the mean girls behind her; they seemed determined to drag her into their petty drama. She knew from experience that the more she interacted with them, the worse it would become.

Besides, she hadn't even said a single word to them.

Rolling her eyes, she shifted her focus back to Jing Hao, waiting for an answer.

"Topology. The prof should be here any minute now." Jing Hao smiled, his casual demeanor a stark contrast to the tension brewing behind them. His curly hair bounced slightly as he spoke, and the light in his eyes showed he was genuinely trying to help.

"Thank you," she replied, a hint of relief in her voice as she managed a small smile back at him.

Lia hadn't done much in the field of topology, but as a math PhD holder, she had definitely taken classes before. And like every other course she'd taken, she had topped them.

"Do you like topology?" Jing Hao asked, attempting to draw her into conversation with the quiet girl beside him. He leaned slightly toward her, his expression hopeful yet uncertain.

"Not particularly?" Lia shrugged, her posture relaxed but her gaze distant, lost in her own thoughts. 

A couple more giggles erupted from the girls behind her, and even the unbothered Meng Yi offered a half-hearted laugh, her phone still firmly in hand. Lia felt a pang of irritation at the cackling, but she reminded herself to stay composed. 

Lia sighed, resting her head on the cool surface of the table, her dark hair spilling around her like a curtain. She was still jet-lagged, and she had never been an early riser anyway.

The rhythm of her life had always favored late nights and leisurely mornings, but now she found herself thrown into the hustle of academia, where the sun was still barely high in the sky when she'd be expected to engage with the world.

She could already feel the temptation to drift off, but she reminded herself that this would be good research. She needed to know how classes were conducted here, the expectations, and the workload for students.

As the minutes ticked by, the room filled with an air of anticipation. The murmurs faded into a hush, replaced by the sound of feet shuffling and chairs scraping against the floor as students settled in. 

Suddenly, a loud voice cut through the silence—the familiar yet stern voice of Professor Shi.

"Hello students. You may sit," he declared, his tone clipped and commanding. A frown was etched deep into his forehead, as if it had become a permanent fixture.

"Yes, he's always that grumpy," Jing Hao whispered with a light laugh, glancing sideways at Lia, who looked bewildered by the abrupt transition from chatter to serious classroom demeanor.

But that wasn't what Lia was thinking. Just an hour ago, that same man had been smiling warmly as he welcomed her to the department. The shift was slightly funny.

Professor Shi began scribbling down structures on the blackboard, his hand moving with the precision of a master calligrapher. He spoke of topology without bothering to make eye contact with the students.

What was there to look at? As usual, he would see a sea of confused expressions staring back at him. 

Theoretical mathematics certainly wasn't for the faint of heart, and most of these students were going to be too weak for it, despite being the best in the country.

Lia silently watched Professor Shi teach, her curiosity piqued. 

No one could deny that the man was a genius. His words flowed like a river, complex and beautiful, and Lia found herself completely enthralled by his teaching. She leaned forward slightly, captivated by the way he explained intricate concepts with clarity and elegance. His passion was palpable, almost contagious, igniting a spark in her own heart.

She decided then and there that she would freeload the rest of his classes.

After all, she didn't have to pay tuition, and she had no classes to teach yet.